Same-sign top pair plus $W$ production in flavor changing vector and scalar models

TL;DR

This paper explores the LHC's potential to detect new physics via same-sign top pair and associated W boson production, focusing on flavor-changing models with Z' or scalar exchanges, and proposes observables for signal discrimination.

Contribution

It introduces a combined analysis of same-sign top pair and top pair plus W production modes to enhance sensitivity to flavor-changing new physics at the LHC.

Findings

Exclusion of Z' or scalar masses above 1 TeV for couplings around 10^{-2}

Development of charge asymmetry and angular observables for signal-background separation

Enhanced reach in flavor-changing top quark interactions at the LHC

Abstract

We investigate the prospect of the LHC for discovering new physics effects via new strategies in the same-sign top pair and same-sign top pair associated with a $W$ boson signatures. Significant enhancement in production of same-sign top quarks (plus a $W$ boson) is a joint property of several models beyond the standard model. We concentrate on the leptonic (electron and muon) decay of the top quarks and study the exclusion reach of the LHC data for a simplified model approach where top quark flavor changing could occur through a $Z'$ or a neutral scalar $\phi$ exchange. Less background contributions and clean signature are the advantages of the leptonic decay mode of the top quarks in the same-sign production processes. A combination is performed on both same-sign top pair and same-sign top pair plus a $W$ boson production modes which enables us to reach a large fraction of the model parameter space. Assuming the couplings of new physics of the order of $10^{-2}$, the mass of a flavor changing $Z'$ or a neutral scalar above 1 TeV could be excluded. We propose a momentum dependent charge asymmetry and angular observables in the same-sign top process which provide the possibility of separation of new physics signal from the SM backgrounds as well as discrimination of the flavor changing $tuX$ from $tcX$, where $X = Z',\phi$.